IPPY ENTRANTS CELEBRATE LIFE – EXPRESS CONCERN & COMPASSION

Congratulations and sincere thanks to the nearly 2,000 independent authors and publishers who participated in the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards. This year we reached a new milestone of participation, with more than 4,090 entries. The 410 medal-winning books listed herein come from 44 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia; 8 Canadian provinces; and 6 countries overseas. The number of medals awarded per category varies according to the number of entrants submitted in each category. In this 13th year of our contest I’m again struck by the compassion and concern expressed by IPPY-winning authors for their fellow human beings and for our planet Earth. For example, this year’s two Environment/Ecology category gold medalists are not only stunningly beautiful books, but they argue passionately for water conservation and curtailing global warming – to save the Colorado River and the habitat of the polar bear – and both include some of the best nature photography you’ll ever see, combined with heartfelt essays. One of the silver medalists asks, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and campaigns for saving nature by reintroducing wildflowers across the land. Both bronze medalists are action-oriented books. The Little Green Book includes the quote from Buckminster Fuller, “We are on a spaceship; a beautiful one. It took billions of years to develop. We’re not going to get another. Now, how do we make this spaceship work?” The book offers 365 ways to make Spaceship Earth work, from #1, “Eat More Veggies” to #363, “Practice Green Sex” (you’ll have to read the book…) You Can Save the Earth lists just seven, more general ways to do so, beginning with Love the Earth: “In the same way that you love a child, a friend, a family member, or anyone special in your life, you must also love the Earth. Your love requires thoughtfulness and action.” We saw spectacular work in so many categories – so much creativity, so much passion -- so much truth. The main thing I’ve learned about independent authors and publishers over the years is that they tell the truth. We judged passionately truthful memoirs and biographies, soulfully truthful self-help books, and brutally honest critiques of our social and political systems. It is this dedication to truth and the art of literature that makes these awards worthwhile and inspires us to delve into the massive task of judging each year. So, if you appreciate books written from the heart, not the wallet, and dedicated to truth, not profit, check out these 400 award-winning books – they deserve your attention and admiration. Here’s to the spirit of independence! - Jim Barnes, Awards Director

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Feature

Announcing 2009 IPPY Awards National and Regional Results

Recognizing Excellence in Independent Publishing - 13th Annual Awards

Jenkins Group is proud to announce the results in the 65 National categories and 20 Regional categories of this year's Independent Publisher Book Awards. 3,380 books were in entered in the national contest (an average of 50 contenders per category) and 710 books were entered in the regional contest (an average of 35 per category). See the 2009 Outstanding Books of the Year results listing here. Congratulations to all!

1. Fine ArtGold (tie): Seventy-Three Funshine, by Jason Jagel (Electric Works) and Julius Friedman: Images and Ideas, by Julius Friedman (Butler Books)Silver:The American Scene On Paper: Prints and Drawings from the Schoen Collection, with an essay by Harry Katz (Georgia Museum of Art)Bronze (tie): The History of Gardens in Paintings, translated by Russell Stockman (Abbeville Press) and Black: A History of Color, by Michel Pastoueau (Princeton University Press)

4. ArchitectureGold: Oscar Niemeyer: Curves of Irreverence, by Styliane Philippon (Yale University Press)Silver Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling, by Barry Bergdoll (The Museum of Modern Art)Bronze (tie): Architecture of the Cape Cod Summer: The Work of Polhemus Savery DaSilva, by Michael J. Crosbie (Images Publishing) and The Design Hotels Year Book 2009, by Design Hotels AG (Design Hotels AG)

5. Popular FictionGold (tie): The Dyodyne Experiment, by James Doulgeris and V. Michael Santoro (Synergy Books) and Peak Experience, by Bud Connell (ARC Publishers)Silver (tie):A Plague of Scoundrels, by Jon Cory (Komenar Publishing) and Do The Math: A Novel of the Inevitable, by Philip B. Persinger (iUniverse)Bronze (tie): Deceptive Intentions, by M.L. Malcolm (A Good Read Publishing); Brother, by James Fredericks (Bascom Hill) and The Rhythm of Selby, by Marti Healy (The Design Group Press)

6. Literary FictionGold: Adam the King, by Jeffrey Lewis (Other Press)Silver (tie): The Spirit of the Place, by Samuel Shem (The Kent State University Press) and The Clock of Heaven, by Dian Day (Inanna Publications)Bronze (tie): Cain’s Version, by Frank Durham (Iroquois Press) and Sailor Girl, by Sheree-Lee Olson (Porcupine’s Quill)

7. Short Story FictionGold: The Cult of Quick Repair, by Dede Crane (Coteau Books)Silver (tie): Evidence, by Ian Colford (The Porcupine's Quill) and Our People: Stories, by Ian MacMillan (BkMk Press, University of Missouri)Bronze (tie): Based on a True Story, by Hesh Kestin (Dzanc Books) and Things That Pass for Love, by Allison Amend (Other Voices Books)

8. AnthologiesGold (tie): A Stranger Among Us: Stories of Cross Cultural Collision and Connection, edited by Stacy Bierlein (Other Voices Books) and And the World Changed: Contemporary Stories by Pakistani Women, edited by Muneeza Shamsie (The Feminist Press at CUNY)Silver: Listen To Me: Shared Secrets from Write Girl, by Keren Taylor (WriteGirl)Bronze: upstreet: number four, edited by Vivian Dorsel (Ledgetop)

9. Juvenile/Young Adult FictionGold (tie): Aloha Crossing, by Pamela Bauer Mueller (Pinata Publishing) and Mary and Jody in the Movies, by JoAnn S. Dawson (Jabberwocky/Sourcebooks)Silver (tie):ABANDONED: The Jesse Chance Thomas Story, Book One, by Bo Bradly (Booksurge) and Run Like Jäger, by Karen Bass (Coteau Books)Bronze (tie): The Land of Curiosities: Lost in Yellowstone, 1872-1873, by Deanna Neil (The Ecoseekers); Trail Magic: Lost in Crawford Notch, by M.H. Sullivan (Romagnoli Publications) and 56 Water Street, by Melissa Strangeway (iUniverse Star)

11. Historical/Military FictionGold (tie): Katherine’s Wish, by Linda Lappin (Wordcraft of Oregon) and The Confederate War Bonnet, by Jack Shakely (iUniverse)Silver (tie): The Fire and the Light, by Glen Craney (Brigid’s Fire Press) and Aurora Crossing: A Novel of the Nez Perces , by Karl H. Schlesier (Texas Tech University Press)Bronze (tie): As the Eagle, Flies the King: Redemption Coming, Book 1, by Wendy M. McNeice (Tate Publishing and Enterprises) and Two Brothers: One North, One South, by David H. Jones (Staghorn Press)

14. Multicultural Fiction – Children’sGold: The Apprentice’s Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain, by Melanie Little (Annick Press)Silver:Santa Claus in Baghdad: and Other Stories about Teens in the Arab World, by Elsa Marston (Indiana University Press)Bronze: The Forbidden Well, by Angela Lee (Booksurge)